Driving while drowsy has become one of the most dangerous things for drivers to do while behind the wheel. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 100,000 police reported vehicle accidents are the results of drowsy driving each year. Below is an overview of drowsy driving statistics and how drivers in Tennessee can avoid being involved in this type of accident.
The Center for Disease Control or CDC, states that drowsy driving has become as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol in the United States today. Drivers can experience extreme fatigue while behind the wheel if they do not get enough sleep or if they have sleep disorders that make it difficult for them to stay awake. Driving while drowsy can cause:
While anyone can become sleepy behind the wheel, certain people are at an increased risk of drowsy driving. People who are most likely to drive while sleepy are:
Statistics show that young male drivers between the ages of 16 and 29 are more likely to drive while sleepy. Accidents caused by drowsy driving occur most often between midnight and 6:00 a.m. and typically involved a single vehicle.
Drivers must be aware of the warning signs associated with driving while sleepy. Some of the most easy to recognize warning signs are:
Those involved in accidents due to drowsy driving may suffer injuries such as:
Drowsy driving is a major cause of car accident injuries and death in the United States today. Being aware of when you are getting too sleepy to drive is the best way to prevent these types of accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a drowsy driving accident in Tennessee, contact a personal injury attorney to discuss the options available to you under the law.
